Knoxville Middle Eastern restaurant closes after 40 years

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - After decades of serving the Knoxville community, Ali Baba's Time Out Delicatessen is saying goodbye.

The Middle Eastern restaurant located at 8361 Kingston Pike in West Knoxville is owned by Nabih Aqaad and his brother, both who are in their late 60s. They started the business back in the 1970s.

After 40 years, the brothers say it's time for them to retire, and they want to thank the community for supporting them all this time.

"Everybody's sad, and they don't want us to leave," said Nabih Aqqad, one of the owners. "They say, where do we go? Why do we have to go? Where's Ali Baba? I just say, I'm sorry. We'd love to stay in business, but we just got old. I'm 69 years old. I'm not young no more."

The restaurant will officially close its doors on March 19. The owners say they hope to see more of their loyal customers before then.